Racing under the lights

If you could see the horses running in Friday's eighth and final
race you were probably a better person than most.

Due to four inquiries by Del Mar stewards that resulted in five
disqualifications on the program, the last race went off at 7:56
p.m., well past sundown, under the cloak of darkness as a heavy
cloud cover saturated the coast.

Maybe that's why long shot Madame Roberta won paying $33.20.
It's possible the other jockeys never saw her coming on the
outside.

Treadmill running

The featured $137,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders
Association Stakes was one of the races affected by
disqualification, just not the winner.

Treadmill ($6) battled I Dig Her down the lane to prevail by a
half length, covering the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1 minute, 5.79 seconds
on the Polytrack.

All of the disqualification action came at the gate when Billie
Bob and Liva la Vida Loca sandwiched first-time starter Comical
Vacation, who took the worst of it, getting away near the back of
the field. Comical Vacation was rewarded by being moved up to third
place, despite crossing the line fifth.

Jeff Nahill's spot play

Friday's play -- Fire Wood in the sixth race -- was one of those
involved in a disqualification, but he didn't win so it didn't
matter with the funny money (it only hurt in the real cash
department.). Today we're going to strike early by playing a $20
early Daily Double of She's So Vain (No. 8) in the first and Big
Swiss (No. 3) in the second. Also bet $10 to win on both
horses.